Toyoko Inn Kobe Sannomiya-eki Higashi

The room was spotless, and the staff were helpful. The room itself is small, with a firm bed and a bathroom about the size of one on a cruise ship. The TV only has Japanese channels. Breakfast is included, with rice, miso soup, pickled cucumbers, tea, and milk. The hotel is close to trains and the subway, and staff are working on their English, so we could generally communicate. I used the washer and dryer and wished I’d packed less. The lobby’s free internet was a big help for contacting home and looking up things to do in Kobe. It’s a great spot for travel and food, and I highly recommend it.

This is the usual Toyoko Inn experience, so if you’ve stayed at another one, you’ll know what to expect. The rooms are clean, not especially small for Japan, and non-smoking rooms are available. Both Wi-Fi and a LAN connection are free, and breakfast is included. The food was okay, nothing special. It’s very cheap for Kobe. You can walk to Sannomiya station, where you’ll probably arrive from wherever you’re coming from, though it isn’t especially close. There are plenty of hotels nearer the station. Sannomiya is also where you’ll find the nightlife and shopping areas.

It’s in a quiet spot, about a 10-minute walk from the station.

For a Japanese business hotel, the room’s a good size. It was clean, and the internet was fast. The comforter sheet kept slipping off, though, so sleeping wasn’t very comfortable.